With 100% English Ancestry, I thought it might be really difficult to trace my ancestors back in England from Canada. Only my mother, her father and his mother were born in Canada. This Blog will talk about researching my English ancestors from Canada but also the ancestors of our son in law whose families stretch back far into Colonial French Canada. My one name study of Blake and of Pincombe also dominate my blog these days.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Will of James Blake, Midshipman on board his Majestys Ship Ardent - The National Archives PROB 11/1261, probated 1 Jun 1795

James Blake, the testator, is perhaps the James Blake baptized 23 Mar 1756 and son of Thomas baptized at Portsea St Mary, Hampshire. James mentions his father as Thomas Blake in the will below. There are a number of Blake families in Portsea.

1 In the Name of God Amen
2 I James Blake Midshipman on board his Majestys
3 Ship Ardent Robert Manners Sutton Esquire Commander
4 being in Bodily health and of sound and disposing
5 Mind and Memory and Considering the perils and
6 dangers of the Seas and other uncertainties of this
7 transitory Life do for avoiding Controversies after my
8 decease make publish and declare this my last Will
9 and Testament in manner following that is to say
10 First I recommend my Soul to God that gave it and
11 my Body I commit to the Earth or Sea as it shall
12 please God to order and as for and concerning all
13 my worldly Estate I give bequeath and dispose thereof
11 as followeth that is to say all and singular such
15 Salary Tickets Bounty Money Prize Money Shop Allowance ______ Smart Money _____
16 Goods wares Merchandizes profits Freights Rents and
17 arrears of Rents Wages Sum and Sums of Money Lands
18 Tenements Goods Chattels and Estate whatsoever as shall
19 be any ways due owing or belonging unto me at the
20 time of my decease I do give devise and bequeath the
21 same unto my beloved Father Thomas Blake living at
22 the Lion of the Rainbow St Georges Square in the Town
23 of Portsea in the County of Hampshire and in default
24 thereof to my Brother John Blake of the Town and
25 County aforesaid and I do hereby nominate and I
26 appoint my father and Brother of the Town and
27 County aforesaid Executors of this my last Will and
28 Testament hereby revoking all former and other wills
29 Testaments and Deeds of Gifts by me at any time
30 heretofore made and I do ordain and ratify these
31 presents to stand and be for and as my only last
32 Will and Testament In witness whereof to this my said
33 Will I have set my hand and Seal the Tenth day
34 of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
35 hundred and Ninety three and in the thirty third year
36 of the Reign of His Majesty King George the third over
37 Great Britain etc Jas. Blake Signed Sealed published
38 and declared in the presence of R. M. Sutton Captain H
39 Quinton Master
40 This Will was proved at London the first day
41 of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
42 hundred and ninety five before the Right Honorable
43 Sir William Wynne Knight doctor of Laws Master
44 Keeper or Commissary of the prerogative Court of
45 Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oaths of Thomas
46 Blake the Father and John Blake the Brother of the
47 deceased and the Executors named in the said will to
48 whom administration was granted of all and singular
49 the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said decease having
50 been first sworn by Commission duly to administer